Temple, but that the coming of Christ had brought the old priesthood to completion, and by this fact the duty of temporary continence had become an obligation to perpetual continence. Fifteen points are studied in the decretal, but the key passage is: Continence was required of all Christian priests by ecclesiastical law until the great schism, and is still required of Catholic priests today; many Eastern Catholic Churches do not require celibacy of their priests. References External links The Catholic Encyclopedia, s.v. "Papal Decretals" See also Clerical celibacy (Catholic Church) Canon law history Documents of Pope Siricius Major orders in the Catholic Church